"Lee So-young Cheers for Her 6th Career Win, Always Victorious in Even-Numbered Years"

So-Young Lee Wins Daewoo Winia·MBN Women's Open with Final Round 3-Under Par Comeback
Epic Duel with Hyun-Kyung Park in Second Sudden-Death Playoff
So-Mi Lee and Eun-Hye Jo Tied for 3rd, One Stroke Behind

Lee So-young is taking a bunker shot on the 1st hole during the final day of the Daewoo Winia·MBN Women's Open. Photo by KLPGA

[Asia Economy Reporter Seohee Lee] Lee So-young (25) claimed the top spot after a playoff battle against Park Hyun-kyung (22) at the Daeyu Winia·MBN Women's Open on the Korean Ladies Professional Golf Association (KLPGA) Tour (total prize money 900 million KRW). This is her first win of the season and her sixth career victory.

On the 14th, Lee So-young recorded a 3-under-par 69 with four birdies and one bogey in the final round held at Daeyu Montvert Country Club in Pocheon City, Gyeonggi Province (par 72, 6,590 yards). With a final total of 13-under-par 203, Lee tied with Park Hyun-kyung and entered a playoff. After a fierce battle in the second playoff hole, Lee secured the 'winning birdie.'

Lee, who was one stroke behind in second place until the previous day, started with a bogey on the 1st hole (par 4). However, she made birdies on the 2nd hole (par 4) and the 5th hole (par 4), and added another birdie on the 9th hole (par 4), showing a steady flow of play. In the back nine, she added a valuable birdie on the 14th hole (par 5).

Lee So-young and Park Hyun-kyung both made par on the first playoff hole at the 18th hole (par 4), failing to decide the winner, but on the second playoff hole, Lee made a mid-range birdie to edge out Park, who made par.

Lee So-young is also famous for her 'even-year jinx.' As a rookie in 2016, she won her first regular tour title at the Chojeong Carbonated Water Yongpyong Resort Open, and won three times in 2018 alone. She then claimed her fifth title at the 2020 E1 Charity Open. This year, after two years, she won again, continuing her pleasant jinx.

Lee So-young received a winner's prize of 162 million KRW, moving up to 13th place in the prize money rankings with 320.57 million KRW. Defending champion Lee So-mi (23) and Jo Eun-hye (24), who led the previous day, are tied for third place, one stroke behind, at 12-under-par 204.